Online Business & Writing Courses
Courses are offered on a one-on-one basis. If you don't see what you are interested in, let Paul know. He might be able to customize an online course for you. (GST extra on all course fees.)

• Develop Your Business Vision. No matter what type of business you want to run, you need to know who you are, what you do, who you do it for, when and where you do it, and even why - before working on your Business and Marketing Plans. This online workshop includes three assignments with feedback to help you develop a Business Vision that will guide you as you write your Business Plan and create your Marketing Plan. The feedback will help you focus your Business Vision.
  Workshop price: $95*.Includes the e-report, If You Don’t Know Where You are Going, How are You Going to Get There? (If you simply want the report, download it now for only $4.95.) To sign up for this workshop or to request more information, email Paul. You can pay by credit card or by cheque. (*PWAC members inquire about course discounts) 
  
  
• How to Find Corporate Writing Assignments. If you want to find corporate writing and editing assignments, you need to define the services you can offer corporate markets and the sectors you should target. Based on that, you put together a 5-step Marketing Plan as outlined in The Six-Figure Freelancer. In this online course, Paul presents 10 exercises that will help you determine the services you want to offer and the sectors you should target and help you build a practical Marketing Plan so you can find the work you want to do. He will review each exercise and and give you constructive  feedback. 
  Workshop price: $225*.Includes a PDF version of  The Six-Figure Freelancer: How to Find, Price and Manage Corporate Writing Assignments. (If you  want the book, download it now. If you have the book, let Paul know and he will give you an appropriate workshop discount.) To sign up for this course or to request more information, email Paul. You can pay by credit card or by cheque. (*PWAC members inquire about course discounts)
  
  
• How to Price Corporate Writing Assignments. If you want to price corporate writing and editing assignments, you need to project your annual revenue, determine how many billable hours you can work per week, and calculate your hourly rate - as outlined in The Six-Figure Freelancer. You then have to defined the scope of corporate projects and issue accurate quotes. The online course includes a variety of pricing exercises that will help you quote accurately. Paul will review and assess your quotes and and give you feedback to help you quote more accurately. 
  Workshop price: $195*.Price includes a PDF version of The Six-Figure Freelancer: How to Find, Price and Manage Corporate Writing Assignments. (If you simply want the book, download it now. If you have the book, let Paul know and he will give you an appropriate workshop discount.) To sign up for this course or to request more information, email Paul. You can pay by credit card or by cheque. (*PWAC members inquire about course discounts) 
  

• How to Write Newspaper or Magazine Article Queries. If you want to write for newspapers or magazine, you need to develop article ideas, find  editors at appropriate publications and write stellar query letters that sell you as the person to write the article. This online course will help you develop article ideas and write  query letters based on samples in the Business of Freelance Writing: How to Develop Article Ideas and Sell Them to Newspapers and Magazines. Before sending the queries to editors, you'll email three of them to Paul for assessment and feedback.
  Workshop price: $195*. Price includes a PDF version of  Business of Freelance Writing. (If you simply want the book, download it now. If you have the book, let Paul know and he will give you an appropriate workshop discount.) To sign up for this course or to request more information, email Paul. You can pay by credit card or by cheque. (*PWAC members inquire about course discounts) 
  

• How to Write Newspaper or Magazine Article Leads. The lead is the most important part of your article. If you nail the lead, the rest of the article generally flows from it. This online course will help you write news, anecdotal, human interest and feature leads based on samples in the Business of Freelance Writing. It also includes an overview of how to conduct effective interviews, because that is where you gather the information that you will use in your lead.
  Workshop price: $195*. Price includes a PDF version of  Business of Freelance Writing. (If you simply want the book, download it now. If you have the book, let Paul know and he will give you an appropriate workshop discount.) To sign up for this course or to request more information, email Paul. You can pay by credit card or by cheque. (*PWAC members inquire about course discounts) 
  
  
• Copywriting 101: How to write effective ad copy. Based on the book, Copywriting that Works, and on a 12-week course that Paul teaches for the University of Toronto, this extended and extensive course includes four copywriting assignments that you'd submit for feedback. Assignments include a full page ad, a direct response marketing brochure, Google ads and an assignment of your choice.
  Workshop price:  UofT course fee is $525. Paul is making this comprehensive course available for $495. However, if you want to focus on one aspect of the course - Google ads or direct response marketing, for instance, e-mail Paul and let him know. He can customize the course and course fee. Price includes a PDF version of Copywriting that Works. (If you simply want the book, download it now. If you have the book, let Paul know and he will give you an appropriate workshop discount.)  To sign up for this course or to request more information, email Paul. You can pay by credit card or by cheque.
  
  
• Harness the Business Writing Process: From e-mail to major reports. Based on the study guide, Harness the Writing Process, and on a 12-week course that Paul teaches for the University of Toronto, this extended and extensive course includes four business writing assignments that you submit for feedback. Assignments include several email messages, a business letter (collection or complaint), a feasibility report and a final assignment of your choice. By time you finish this course, you will feel that you are a more effective and efficient business writer.
  
  
  "I have enjoyed the course and it has exceeded my expectations. Your candid and yet constructive criticism has been greatly appreciated. On a scale of 1-10 I would give you a rating of 11.... I found the assignments to be appropriate to the course material [and] I found the course notes were of great assistance. Above all thank you for making me “think” about what I write. I will recommend this course to others." - Karen Feir
  
  
  Workshop price:  UofT course fee is $525. Paul is making this comprehensive course available for $495. However, if you want to focus on one aspect of the course - e-mail, letters or reports, for instance, e-mail Paul and let him know. He can customize the course and fee for you. Price does not includes a separate textbook, available for about $45. To sign up for this course or to request more information, email Paul. You can pay by credit card or by cheque.

• How to Write Media Releases. If you want to write media releases to promote your company, organization or event, of if you want to write them for corporate clients, this online course is for you. It follows the process outlined in How to Write Media Releases to Promote Your Business, Organization or Event. The book includes media release and media advisory templates, examples of media releases and  advisories and instructions on how to write both. The course if fairly simple. You read the book, get to ask a questions about media releases and then submit three releases for feedback. If you are working on releases, you can submit them. However, Paul can also provide case studies that you can use as a basis for writing your releases.  
  Workshop price: $275.Price includes a PDF version of How to Write Media Releases to Promote Your Business, Organization or Event.  (If you simply want the book, download it now. If you have the book, let Paul know and he will give you an appropriate workshop discount.) To sign up for this course or to request more information, email Paul. You can pay by credit card or by cheque. (*PWAC members inquire about course discounts) 
  

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Do you have a website? Is it indexed in Google and other search engines? Is it optimized for the best  results based on key words or phrases that search engine visitors use when looking for the goods or services you offer? This online course will show you how to get the best possible search results. For instance, go to Google and search for "copywriter Toronto", "freelance writer Toronto" or "media interview trainer" and see where Paul Lima's website ranks. The workshop is based on Do you Know Where Your Website Ranks? 
  Pricing is variable. It depends on how you want to work with Paul. For instance, you might want to simply discusss  possible key words and phrases you should optimize for. You may need some technical help creating title tags,  meta tags and alt tags for images. You may want help writing copy that incorporates key words. You may even want to set up a blog.
  It is suggested that you buy a copy of Do you Know Where Your Website Ranks?. Once you've read it, you can discuss your SEO needs with Paul and he will create a customized workshop and workshop price for you. 

• Writing for the Web. This workshop introduces you to the Writing Process, then demonstrates how to apply that process when writing for the Web. It outlines how most people read online (they call it a Web "browser" for a reason) and presents hints, tips and techniques for making it easier for visitors to read, scan and browse copy on your website. Exercises and assignments will help you write long blocks of information-oriented Web copy that are easy to scan and write promotional copy that reveals your purpose and call to action and motivates 'clicks'. The course also demonstrates how to harness the power of hyper links to motivate your readers to dig deeper for more information. Course includes 4 assignments that you submit for feedback.
  Workshop price: $295*. Price includes a PDF version of Harness the Writing Processs (not yet available online) as well as Web-writing based exercises not in the PDF. To sign up for this course or to request more information, email Paul. You can pay by credit card or by cheque. (*PWAC members inquire about course discounts)